BSB Masterplan consultant suggests use of fuel subsidy budget to finance mass transit
Friday, June 25, 2010
Light Rail Transport (LRT) system can be successful in Brunei despite fuel subsidies, said a transportation consultant from the BSB Development Masterplan yesterday.
“There have been quite a few examples of Gulf states with fuel subsidies such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar where mass transit systems have been introduced to ease traffic congestion,” said Francis NL Sootoo, executive director of MVA Asia Limited.
“However, you must give people an incentive to take public transport,” he said on the sidelines of a public forum for the masterplan.
Sootoo suggested that fuel subsidies could be reduced and re-distributed to fund or subsidise public transport.
A recent survey conducted by The Brunei Times and the Municipal Department revealed that eight in 10 people favour a LRT system. The majority of respondents also voted for having improvements in public transport as the most important aspect of the BSB Masterplan.
The LRT could be constructed within three to five years, “although this depends on many factors”, Sootoo added.
The rail system still needs the greenlight after the final draft of the masterplan is presented to government authorities in September.
Construction would involve widening roads to create the rail line, powered by an overhead electricity supply. Sootoo said disruption would “not be that much” given Bandar only experiences traffic congestion during peak hours.
The proposed LRT would cover 24 stops between Yayasan Shopping Complex and Brunei International Airport, a distance of about 10 kilometres.
A ride from start to finish would take less than 25 minutes, and the frequency of the coaches would be every three minutes.
The rail line would link key commercial and administrative areas, such as Gadong, Kiulap, Serusop, government building complex in Berakas and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (Ripas) Hospital.
“People can go out for lunch during the lunch hour without having to worry about traffic or parking,” Sootoo said.
Covered footbridges would also link areas so people do not have to walk in the midday sun.
Five LRT stations will have “Park and Ride” facilities where people can leave their vehicles at multi-level car parks and board the tram to their destination.
Several stops will also have bus and water taxi connections, which can cover routes outside the BSB municipal boundaries.
The transport consultant stated there was also need for a revamp of the current bus system.
“The current bus system is not reliable without a timetable… Buses need working aircons and bus shelters and planned routes not just go wherever they want,” he said.
“The most important thing is to provide regular, frequent service,” he said.
Sootoo added that the network of bus routes must also be enhanced and take people “door to door” through an increased number of stops, for example, at least one stop every kilometre.
“Public transport should be monitored by a Customer Feedback Index, like they have in Singapore and Hong Kong,” Sootoo explained. “If it falls below say, 80 per cent, you know you are doing something wrong.”
Sootoo said a public awareness campaign would accompany any new transport system to educate the community on the benefits of taking public transportation.
“We want to elevate public awareness and create mass transit that is for people from all walks of life,” he said.
The Brunei Times
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